Team India regain the No. 1 position

Dubai: India on Friday regained their No. 1 ranking in the ODIs after Australia lost their fourth one-day international against England by 57 runs, thereby dropping to the second place.

As per the latest ICC table, India are back on top with 117 points while Australia are second with 116 points.

India lost their No. 1 spot in the ODI rankings on Wednesday, when they lost to New Zealand in the second one-dayer, in Hamilton, by 15 runs.

India were on 119 points before the second ODI against New Zealand while Australia were on 118 points. The defeat against New Zealand saw India losing a couple of points and slipped behind Australia at 117 points.

However, as the Aussies succumbed to their first international defeat at the hands of England three-month long tour, they lost two points and came down to 116.

But in order to maintain their top rank, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side must win Saturday’s ODI against the Black Caps, in Auckland.

India had been the No. 1 ranked ODI team since they won the third ODI against England back in January 19 last year, in a five-match series at home, winning 3-2. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men had displaced England from the top on that occasion. South Africa’s loss to New Zealand at home had also aided India then.

However, should India retain their No. 1 rank, they must win the next three ODIs against the Black Caps, a task that doesn’t appear to be too easy under the circumstances.

For Australia to reclaim the top spot, they need New Zealand to win the ongoing one-day series against India at any cost.